Digital Opportunities Basics – THISDAYLIVE

IHS Towers, one of the largest independent owners, operators and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by number of towers, has made a significant mark in Nigeria since its inception in 2001. It has become a key player in the communications space, driving connectivity and innovation not only in Nigeria but across multiple continents.

Founded in Nigeria in a small office on Younis Bashorun Street on Victoria Island in Lagos by Sam Darwish, President and CEO of IHS Towers; William Saad, COO of IHS Towers; and Mohamad Darwish, CEO of IHS Nigeria, IHS Towers began with a clear mission: to bridge the telecommunications gap in underserved regions. Over the years, the company has expanded its operations, first in Africa, and then in Latin America and the Middle East. With a portfolio of approximately 40,000 towers (including over 16,000 in Nigeria), IHS Towers has become the third largest independent international TowerCo in the world (by number of towers). IHS Towers has expanded to include operations in Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia.

Strategic acquisitions and organic expansion support the company’s growth. Notable acquisitions include the purchase of towers from MTN Nigeria Communications PLC and 9mobile in 2014 and 2015, the acquisition of Helios Towers Nigeria in 2016, and over 15 other acquisitions of companies and towers across all of its operating markets. They have significantly strengthened and expanded the company’s infrastructure capabilities, and the company now offers six core solutions – colocation and lease amendments that actively promote the sharing of existing infrastructure, new site construction in new locations where there is no coverage, in-building solutions through cabling inside large buildings, small cells for densely populated areas, fiber connectivity to support broadband internet access, and rural telephony to serve the unconnected in remote areas.

In 2021, IHS Towers expanded its service offering in Nigeria and began deploying fiber through its subsidiary Global Independent Connect Limited (GICL). GICL began operations in 2024, completing the deployment of over 10,000 kilometers of fiber across 36 Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory, as it supports the Federal Government’s National Broadband Plan, which aims to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025. The company’s global reach allows it to draw on expertise and innovation from broader fiber services. The most notable example of this is in Brazil, where IHS Towers, in partnership with mobile network operator TIM Brasil (a subsidiary of Telecom Italia), established I-Systems, a specialist provider of shared fiber networks that currently cover some 8.8 million homes. These strategic moves both expanded IHS Towers’ geographic reach and enhanced its ability to provide reliable, sustainable and customer-centric solutions.

IHS Towers achieved a significant milestone in October 2021 when it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), opening the door to new capital and global recognition. The listing further solidified IHS Towers’ position as a key player in the telecommunications industry. The company is now well-positioned to play the role of global corporate ambassador as it seeks to globally demonstrate the potential opportunities that continue to flow from Nigeria and that Nigerian companies can succeed globally.

IHS Towers’ impact extends beyond providing communications infrastructure. The company plays a critical role in driving economic development and strengthening communities. As an enabler of connectivity, it has helped facilitate the growth of digital economies, improved access to information, and supported the expansion of businesses and services in urban, as well as remote and underserved areas. The connectivity IHS facilitates serves as a catalyst for socioeconomic empowerment, enabling businesses to thrive and communities to access critical services.

In Nigeria, IHS Towers runs a comprehensive sustainability program, working with national and international organizations. Together with UNICEF, they help develop child-friendly communities in Nigeria where access to clean water is easy, births are registered, and mothers are educated on health issues.

IHS Towers has also partnered with Houston, US-based non-profit organization, Limitless Space Institute, dedicated to space education. The initiative involves taking ten teachers from Nigeria and immersing them in a 12-month Limitless Global Educator Program that will immerse them in the implications and benefits of space exploration. As part of the program, they will tour leading organizations in the space industry, work with subject matter experts, and collaborate on new and innovative lesson plans. The idea is for these teachers to inspire their students to dream big. After all, if three engineers can start a global company in Nigeria, then the next generation can create wonders with education and determination.

Recently, IHS Nigeria deepened its commitment to developing technical skills among Nigerian youth through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative. The 3MTT programme, launched in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aims to train 3 million young Nigerians in technical and digital skills within 3 years, an unprecedented challenge undertaken by the current administration.

Across the IHS Towers Group, there is a clear commitment to protecting the environment and reducing the company’s environmental footprint through the use of green energy solutions. In October 2022, the company announced its carbon reduction roadmap and a goal of reducing the Scope 1 and Scope 2 kilowatt-hour emissions intensity of its tower portfolio by 50% by 2030. The strategy is to focus on connecting more sites to the electricity grid, deploying and integrating more battery storage and solar solutions through Project Green, the current phase of the roadmap. In its 2023 Sustainability Report, the company reported an approximate reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 kilowatt-hour emissions intensity of 11% from 2021 and appears to be on track to achieve the 2030 target.

The story of IHS Towers is one of growth, impact and commitment to sustainability. From humble beginnings in Nigeria to a global communications infrastructure giant, IHS Towers continues to demonstrate its commitment to empowering communities and driving economic progress through the power of mobile connectivity. Nigeria remains the backbone of IHS Towers, representing the largest market in its portfolio. What has been achieved is a testament to what Nigeria can do. It is a story that should make every Nigerian happy and every Nigerian a dreamer, a dreamer who can overcome all odds and achieve the impossible.